X Tables
Table Tennis Maths

Maths in table tennis: personal bests

Compare old and new results.

Quick answer

Maths in table tennis: personal bests helps you compare your old and new scores to see how you're improving – using subtraction, addition, and comparing numbers.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to compare your old and new table tennis scores to see how much you’ve improved, using subtraction and addition. Success signs:
  • You can subtract to find the difference between two scores.
  • You can add to find your total points across games.
  • You can compare numbers to see which is bigger or smaller.
  • You can use a table or chart to show your progress.

Why this matters

Maths helps you track your progress in table tennis! When you play, you can record your scores and use maths to see how much you’ve improved. This helps you set goals and feel proud of your achievements. Whether you’re playing with friends or at a club, keeping track of your scores shows how much you’ve grown as a player.

How it works

To compare your old and new table tennis scores, follow these steps:
  1. Write down your old score and your new score.
  2. Subtract the old score from the new score to find the difference.
  3. Add up your points from all your games to find your total.
  4. Compare the numbers to see which is bigger or smaller.

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you’re playing table tennis and you want to see how you’re doing. Example 1: How much did you improve? You played 5 games last week and scored 12 points. This week, you played 5 games and scored 18 points. To find out how much you improved:
  • New score: 18
  • Old score: 12
  • Subtract: 18 – 12 = 6
You improved by 6 points! Example 2: What’s your total score? In one match, you scored 3 points in the first game, 5 in the second, and 4 in the third. To find your total:
  • 3 + 5 + 4 = 12
You scored 12 points in total. Example 3: Who won? You played against your friend. You scored 10 points, and your friend scored 7 points. To find out who won:
  • 10 > 7
You won the match!

Try it as a mini adventure

Table Tennis Challenge: Track Your Progress! You are a table tennis champion in training! You’ve played 3 matches this week and want to see how you’re doing. Here’s your challenge: Match 1: You scored 6 points. Match 2: You scored 9 points. Match 3: You scored 4 points. 4th time: What is your total score across all 3 matches? 5th time: What was your best score? 6th time: How many points did you score in the first two matches combined? 7th time: If your friend scored 11 points in total, how many more points did you score than your friend? Answer: 4th time: 6 + 9 + 4 = 19 points 5th time: 9 points 6th time: 6 + 9 = 15 points 7th time: 19 – 11 = 8 points You scored 8 more points than your friend!

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that 18 – 12 = 6, but confusing the order of subtraction. Why it happens: Not knowing which number to subtract from. Fix: Always subtract the smaller number from the bigger number to find the difference.
  • Mistake: Adding 3 + 5 + 4 and getting 11 instead of 12. Why it happens: Making a small counting mistake. Fix: Count carefully or use your fingers or a calculator to check your addition.
  • Mistake: Not comparing numbers properly to see who won. Why it happens: Not understanding which number is bigger. Fix: Use a number line or count the points to help you see which is greater.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:
  • Encouraging them to record their scores after each game.
  • Helping them use subtraction to see how much they’ve improved.
  • Using a chart or table to show their progress over time.
  • Playing a game together where you both keep score and compare results.
  • Noticing when they are proud of their improvement – celebrate their progress!
What to say: “Let’s see how much you’ve improved this week. What was your score last week and what is it now?” What not to worry about: It’s normal for children to make small mistakes when adding or subtracting. Use these as learning opportunities, not reasons for frustration.

Practice questions

  1. Tom scored 8 points last week and 14 points this week. How much did he improve?
  2. Jessica scored 5, 7, and 3 points in three games. What was her total score?
  3. Alex scored 10 points, and his friend scored 6 points. Who won and by how many points?
  4. Emma played 4 games and scored 4, 6, 5, and 7 points. What was her total?
  5. Lucas scored 12 points last week and 16 points this week. How much did he improve?
Answers:
  1. 14 – 8 = 6 points
  2. 5 + 7 + 3 = 15 points
  3. Alex won by 4 points (10 – 6 = 4)
  4. 4 + 6 + 5 + 7 = 22 points
  5. 16 – 12 = 4 points

FAQ

What is the best way to keep track of my table tennis scores?

Use a simple notebook or chart to write down your scores after each game. This helps you see your progress over time.

How can I use maths to improve at table tennis?

By tracking your scores, you can see where you’re getting better and where you might need more practice.

What does it mean when I say I improved by 5 points?

It means your new score is 5 points higher than your old score.

Can I use addition and subtraction for other sports too?

Yes! You can use maths to track scores in football, basketball, cricket, and many other games.

Why is it fun to track my progress?

It helps you see how much you’ve grown and gives you goals to work towards. It’s like a small victory every time you improve!